Janet Napolitano lashes out at border policy critics

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano has been lashing out at border critics recently, flatly denying claims that problems along the Southwestern border are “out of control.”

AP photo

“The border is simply not the same as it was two years ago,” Napolitano said in a speech Friday at the Newseum in Washington.

Napolitano argued that these “misconceptions” are “just plain wrong,” and touted the praises of the Obama administration’s efforts to secure the area.

According to Napolitano, border security has increased under the Obama administration. She said that the number of border patrol and port officers, as well as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents focused on drug cartels, has risen since 2009.

Napolitano added that misconceptions about safety along the border are harming communities because it discourages businesses and employers from setting up shop in the area.

“American border communities are safe and open for business,” Napolitano said and added that “violent crime rates in border communities have remained flat or declined.”

Despite gains made in the area of border security, Naptolitano also stressed the importance of comprehensive immigration reform.

“The border is important for our country,” Napolitano said. “But so is immigration reform.”

Napolitano said that the DHS is focused on violent criminal offenders who are in the United States illegally. She added that targeting businesses that illegally employ undocumented workers is also a priority.

“Our employers need to abide by immigration laws,” Napolitano said, adding that jobs are a “big draw” for illegal workers.

Napolitano’s speech was followed by a panel discussion about immigration reform and border security. Though Napolitano was not in the discussion, participants included John Morton, Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Alejandro Mayorkas , Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), David Aguilar, Deputy Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Mayor Alan Kriger, Yuma, Ariz., Al Zapanta, President & CEO of the U.S.-Mexico Chamber of Commerce, and Simon Rosenberg, President and Founder of think tank NDN.